M. L. Rio
@mlrio.bsky.social
Bestselling author of HOT WAX, GRAVEYARD SHIFT, IF WE WERE VILLAINS. Vinyl nerd, recovering academic, road tripper, dog lady. Pre-order HOT WAX here: https://linktr.ee/mlrio
Pinned
I recently did a high school classroom visit to talk about IWWV and by far my favorite feedback was "she has a great sense of humor and I didn't think I would find a person with a PhD in English literature to be funny." My child, nobody survives that without an appreciation for black comedy.
November 24, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I recently did a high school classroom visit to talk about IWWV and by far my favorite feedback was "she has a great sense of humor and I didn't think I would find a person with a PhD in English literature to be funny." My child, nobody survives that without an appreciation for black comedy.
Reposted by M. L. Rio
Whoa hey now -- STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS gets a shout-out in The Atlantic courtesy of @mlrio.bsky.social -- !!
November 19, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Whoa hey now -- STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS gets a shout-out in The Atlantic courtesy of @mlrio.bsky.social -- !!
Reposted by M. L. Rio
I have a strong preference for the, let's say, plot-forward novel, as does @mlrio.bsky.social. www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
Eight Plot-Heavy Books That Will Keep You Turning Pages
Some readers enjoy plotless, heady fiction. Those who don’t should try these titles.
www.theatlantic.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I have a strong preference for the, let's say, plot-forward novel, as does @mlrio.bsky.social. www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
Big thanks to @readbookpage.bsky.social for naming HOT WAX one of their best books of 2025, "a passionate novel that takes readers on a turbulent joyride while exploring both the glory and the gore of live rock ’n’ roll." www.bookpage.com/best-books/b... @simonbooks.bsky.social #books #booksky
The 10 Best Mystery & Suspense Novels of 2024
Many of 2025’s best mysteries and thrillers mixed and matched genres with abandon, leading to startling hybrids.
www.bookpage.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Big thanks to @readbookpage.bsky.social for naming HOT WAX one of their best books of 2025, "a passionate novel that takes readers on a turbulent joyride while exploring both the glory and the gore of live rock ’n’ roll." www.bookpage.com/best-books/b... @simonbooks.bsky.social #books #booksky
One fun thing about being a writer is the life of surprising synchronicities, like this Blondie doppelganger spotted in my neighborhood. Fiction can follow you around like that for ages after the fact. (In other news, if you also like hot cars, you should read HOT WAX.)
November 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
One fun thing about being a writer is the life of surprising synchronicities, like this Blondie doppelganger spotted in my neighborhood. Fiction can follow you around like that for ages after the fact. (In other news, if you also like hot cars, you should read HOT WAX.)
Austin people! Would love to see ya tomorrow at @bookpeople.com 🎸 @simonbooks.bsky.social #booksky #books
October 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Austin people! Would love to see ya tomorrow at @bookpeople.com 🎸 @simonbooks.bsky.social #booksky #books
Fun to see GRAVEYARD SHIFT back for an encore at @reactorsff.bsky.social reactormag.com/creeping-fun... #booksky #books
Creeping Fungus: Nine Works of Sporror - Reactor
If you love mushrooms or just want some creepy reads to add to your TBR, this list is for you!
reactormag.com
October 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Fun to see GRAVEYARD SHIFT back for an encore at @reactorsff.bsky.social reactormag.com/creeping-fun... #booksky #books
Reposted by M. L. Rio
Y'all. It's so good.
October 15, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Y'all. It's so good.
Had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Toody Cole of Dead Moon a little while back, and how fitting the piece goes live today, when I'm in Portland supporting HOT WAX! What a powerhouse she is. Hope you'll give it a read ⚡ www.thevinyldistrict.com/storefront/t... #music
Toody Cole, <br>The TVD Interview - The Vinyl District
Toody Cole has the best laugh I’ve heard in a long time—big, unabashed, spontaneous. We’ve traded emails for a month or two, trying to find room for an interview between my touring schedule and hers. ...
www.thevinyldistrict.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Toody Cole of Dead Moon a little while back, and how fitting the piece goes live today, when I'm in Portland supporting HOT WAX! What a powerhouse she is. Hope you'll give it a read ⚡ www.thevinyldistrict.com/storefront/t... #music
Reposted by M. L. Rio
UK & Ireland!🩷
Grab your ticket to see @mlrio.bsky.social talk about her brand new electric, rock and roll fuelled story HOT WAX 🎸
Buy now: linktr.ee/HotWaxEvents
Grab your ticket to see @mlrio.bsky.social talk about her brand new electric, rock and roll fuelled story HOT WAX 🎸
Buy now: linktr.ee/HotWaxEvents
October 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
UK & Ireland!🩷
Grab your ticket to see @mlrio.bsky.social talk about her brand new electric, rock and roll fuelled story HOT WAX 🎸
Buy now: linktr.ee/HotWaxEvents
Grab your ticket to see @mlrio.bsky.social talk about her brand new electric, rock and roll fuelled story HOT WAX 🎸
Buy now: linktr.ee/HotWaxEvents
LA, you hungry? Treats on me. @booksoupofficial.bsky.social tonight at 7 🍜 booksoup.com/event/2025-1... #booksky @simonbooks.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 4:12 PM
LA, you hungry? Treats on me. @booksoupofficial.bsky.social tonight at 7 🍜 booksoup.com/event/2025-1... #booksky @simonbooks.bsky.social
UK + Ireland! Coming your way with as much swag as I can carry, only available on tour 😎 Snag your pass before the show's sold out 🎟️ @headlinebooks.bsky.social @wildfirebooks.bsky.social #booksky linktr.ee/HotWaxEvents
October 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
UK + Ireland! Coming your way with as much swag as I can carry, only available on tour 😎 Snag your pass before the show's sold out 🎟️ @headlinebooks.bsky.social @wildfirebooks.bsky.social #booksky linktr.ee/HotWaxEvents
Reposted by M. L. Rio
I'm housesitting right now and just getting over being extremely sick, but sitting outside with the dogs for a bit, enjoying the autumn weather, and doing a bit of reading on @mlrio.bsky.social 's newest novel has me feeling much more human 🧡🖤🧡
#booksky #autumn #reading
#booksky #autumn #reading
October 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I'm housesitting right now and just getting over being extremely sick, but sitting outside with the dogs for a bit, enjoying the autumn weather, and doing a bit of reading on @mlrio.bsky.social 's newest novel has me feeling much more human 🧡🖤🧡
#booksky #autumn #reading
#booksky #autumn #reading
Good news If you need a Scooby snack for spooky season -- digital editions of GRAVEYARD SHIFT are discounted this month in the US (Kindle) and the UK (Kindle/Apple Books) and from October 7-8 the US print edition is 66% off 🐀🐀🐀 @flatironbooks.bsky.social @headlinebooks.bsky.social #booksky
October 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Good news If you need a Scooby snack for spooky season -- digital editions of GRAVEYARD SHIFT are discounted this month in the US (Kindle) and the UK (Kindle/Apple Books) and from October 7-8 the US print edition is 66% off 🐀🐀🐀 @flatironbooks.bsky.social @headlinebooks.bsky.social #booksky
West Coast! Next week, come get yer freak on 🪩 mlrio.com/events/ #books #booksky @simonbooks.bsky.social
October 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
West Coast! Next week, come get yer freak on 🪩 mlrio.com/events/ #books #booksky @simonbooks.bsky.social
HOT WAX is "an electrifying triumph of a novel" in today's @irishexaminer.bsky.social 🎸 @headlinebooks.bsky.social @wildfirebooks.bsky.social #books #booksky www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Book review: Facing the music of the past
'Hot Wax' is an electrifying triumph of a novel with a raw, emotional core, finely crafted by the talented M. L. Rio.
www.irishexaminer.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:53 PM
HOT WAX is "an electrifying triumph of a novel" in today's @irishexaminer.bsky.social 🎸 @headlinebooks.bsky.social @wildfirebooks.bsky.social #books #booksky www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Some hard truths about publishing in 2025 and the infernal sales track in the 'stack today mlriodiscursions.substack.com/p/hot-wax-to... #books #writing #booksky
HOT WAX Tour Diary, 3 October 2025
Back from somewhere
mlriodiscursions.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Some hard truths about publishing in 2025 and the infernal sales track in the 'stack today mlriodiscursions.substack.com/p/hot-wax-to... #books #writing #booksky
Oh hey, I’m in a video game? My 90s-kid heart loves this. What a perfect little slice of soothing in a completely crazy world. www.pockettactics.com/tiny-booksho... #books @tinybookshopgame.com @flatironbooks.bsky.social
We asked Tiny Bookshop's designer about Game of Thrones, genres, and greedy seagulls
Tiny Bookshop welcomes us all with open arms, so we asked what went into the game, where the inspiration came from, and if we can expect more.
www.pockettactics.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Oh hey, I’m in a video game? My 90s-kid heart loves this. What a perfect little slice of soothing in a completely crazy world. www.pockettactics.com/tiny-booksho... #books @tinybookshopgame.com @flatironbooks.bsky.social
Last night at @parkbooks.bsky.social was a trip! What better way to finish off this leg of the HOT WAX tour than a pop-up record shop and an absolutely bitchin' vinyl score? I know how I'm kicking back the next few days before I'm off to the West Coast 📀😎📀 @simonbooks.bsky.social #books #vinyl
October 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Last night at @parkbooks.bsky.social was a trip! What better way to finish off this leg of the HOT WAX tour than a pop-up record shop and an absolutely bitchin' vinyl score? I know how I'm kicking back the next few days before I'm off to the West Coast 📀😎📀 @simonbooks.bsky.social #books #vinyl
Reposted by M. L. Rio
So many friends’ books have come out in the past two weeks. In my trip to Brooklyn & driving back upstate I got to buy their books at fav bookstores: @mlrio.bsky.social, @ericlarocca.bsky.social @raforall.bsky.social @rachelharrison.bsky.social, @pfracassi.bsky.social & @brianmcwriter.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 2:24 PM
So many friends’ books have come out in the past two weeks. In my trip to Brooklyn & driving back upstate I got to buy their books at fav bookstores: @mlrio.bsky.social, @ericlarocca.bsky.social @raforall.bsky.social @rachelharrison.bsky.social, @pfracassi.bsky.social & @brianmcwriter.bsky.social
Reposted by M. L. Rio
“I spent nearly a decade writing and re-writing this book, and in that time I racked up thousands of records and ticket stubs...”
@mlrio.bsky.social shared a playlist for her novel Hot Wax largeheartedboy.com/2025/09/29/m...
@mlrio.bsky.social shared a playlist for her novel Hot Wax largeheartedboy.com/2025/09/29/m...
September 29, 2025 at 9:23 PM
“I spent nearly a decade writing and re-writing this book, and in that time I racked up thousands of records and ticket stubs...”
@mlrio.bsky.social shared a playlist for her novel Hot Wax largeheartedboy.com/2025/09/29/m...
@mlrio.bsky.social shared a playlist for her novel Hot Wax largeheartedboy.com/2025/09/29/m...
Reposted by M. L. Rio
Lemme tell you, I adored HOT WAX by @mlrio.bsky.social. Just the character work ALONE makes that book sing.
Recommend a piece of art (any medium) that's not yours that you've recently enjoyed or re-enjoyed. Just something you think might help someone else, cheer 'em up, escapism, w.e.
Just wondering. :)
Just wondering. :)
September 29, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Lemme tell you, I adored HOT WAX by @mlrio.bsky.social. Just the character work ALONE makes that book sing.
Nice to see HOT WAX in the @nytimes.com again but also nice to resurrect this list of Gothic thrillers I dreamed up earlier this year! If you're ready for some dark and stormy reads, I've got some recs for you: www.nytimes.com/interactive/... @simonbooks.bsky.social @kathy-daneman.bsky.social #books
September 29, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Nice to see HOT WAX in the @nytimes.com again but also nice to resurrect this list of Gothic thrillers I dreamed up earlier this year! If you're ready for some dark and stormy reads, I've got some recs for you: www.nytimes.com/interactive/... @simonbooks.bsky.social @kathy-daneman.bsky.social #books
Two stops left of the second leg of the HOT WAX tour! Tonight at @oldtownbooks.bsky.social Alexandria Alexandria, tomorrow at @parkbooks.bsky.social Baltimore/Severna Park 🎸 What better way to spend a gray, drizzly day than some sizzlin' new fiction? ❤️🔥 @simonbooks.bsky.social #books
September 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Two stops left of the second leg of the HOT WAX tour! Tonight at @oldtownbooks.bsky.social Alexandria Alexandria, tomorrow at @parkbooks.bsky.social Baltimore/Severna Park 🎸 What better way to spend a gray, drizzly day than some sizzlin' new fiction? ❤️🔥 @simonbooks.bsky.social #books